Project Life
Cross River Gorilla Surveys in the Highland Rainforests of South West Cameroon

Sample Day

A typical fieldwork day starts at 6am in the rainforest. Breakfast and lunch will be prepared, mostly consisting of rice and fish or chicken, and some local fruits. After you have had breakfast, with some luck, you can wash yourself in streams. Porters will assist you when the tents need to be taken to the next camp. The team will walk to the next area to be surveyed, conducting both transects and random searches. During the surveys all sightings of animals, in particular primates, will be recorded in detail. This will include nest site data, observations, feedings signs, habitat and tree species, elevation, GPS co-ordinates, mode of detection and any other important remarks. Each data sheet will represent a forest block, which in turn represents a single sampling unit. Where possible, photographs will also be taken to compliment the data recorded. You will make camp at 5 or 6pm because at 7pm it will be dark.

Sample Week

The expedition will focus on two type of activities: the great apes surveys, and education and awareness raising activities. Each survey period will last three-five days - the sampling design of which will be established prior to the start of the surveys. Former local hunters have been employed by the project to serve as field guides. After each survey period the team returns to one of the local villages to get new food supplies. You will make camp and live with a host family for one or two days. The team will arrange to conduct education activities, such as videos sessions or art workshops with the community or local schools. Education and awareness raising will form a key part of this expedition. Changing the attitudes towards great apes and improving empathetic relationships between children and wildlife is a prerequisite to sustainable co-existence and the protection of apes.